Gifts Today magazine

Hong Kong fair attracts 46,000 buyers

Twin home-product fairs, including the HKTDC Hong Kong Housewares Fair, ended its four-day show on a high

The HKTDC Hong Kong Housewares Fair and the HKTDC Hong Kong International Home Textiles and Furnishings Fair, which both took place over four days during April at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), hosted close to 2,300 exhibitors from 36 countries and regions and welcomed nearly 46,000 buyers.

Double-Digit Buyer Growth
Housewares fair buyers came mainly from the Chinese mainland, Taiwan, India, Japan, the United States, South Korea, Australia, the United Kingdom, France, Canada and Germany. Buyer attendance from a number of Asian and emerging markets recorded double-digit growth, including South Korea, Taiwan, the mainland, India, Indonesia and Thailand.

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) organised 126 buying missions to the two fairs. Among the more than 6,500 global buyers were many quality buyers from emerging markets, including Hungary’s Hungaro Management Ltd, India’s Home Town (Future Retail Ltd), Poland’s FPH Witeks Adam Witek and Russia’s Ourrson Co Ltd.

Small-Order Trend
HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Benjamin Chau noted that the sourcing sentiment at the two fairs was positive, with good demand for green and trendy products. Buyers also continued to favour the trend toward “small and frequent orders.” This was underlined by the success of the fairs’ Small-Order Zone, which featured nearly 400 showcases offering some 4,000 products. The zone attracted nearly 19,000 buyer visits, generating about 34,000 business connections. An online version of the zone was also set up, offering instant payment via PayPal.

Asian Orders for Local Company
Technical Development (HK) Ltd was among the local companies pleased with the buyer turnout at the fair. The company designs and manufactures such products as wine openers, two-speed milk stirrers and bacteria-free dustbins. Company CEO Brian Sun said he had received substantial orders from Korean, Singaporean and Taiwanese buyers. “We also received invitations from Sogo and Citysuper to promote our products at their stores,” he said.

Hong Kong plastic manufacturer Star Industrial Co, Ltd, known for its “Red A” products, held a press briefing at the houseware fair to launch its new CreA brand. The new line highlights products targeting small families, including an “adjustable/rotating strainer” and a “5-in-1 measuring spoon,” which includes a measuring container for a one-person serving of noodles. The HKTDC’s Design Gallery will soon feature CreA products.

UK Company Finds Japanese Partner
Overseas companies also did good business at the fairs. UK company Queen Anne Tableware Ltd received orders on-site. Commercial Manager Gary Sadler said the company was looking for distributors in Asia, and had successfully formed a partnership with a Japanese company at the fair.

Canadian tableware manufacturer Knack3 Inc, exhibiting at the houseware fair for the first time, attracted strong interest from traditional market buyers, including Australia, Italy, Japan, the Middle East and New Zealand. Company President Len Walker said he had received orders during the first two days of the fair.

Happy Buyers
International houseware e-retailer Westwing, which boasts a turnover of 42 million euros a year on its Russian online shopping site, was among the buyers. “I was able to find niche small furniture I had been looking for at the India Pavilion,” said company representative Igor Belozerov.

Thailand hypermarket operator Big C Supercenter Public Co, Ltd, with annual purchasing of US$8 million, found a wide selection of products from all over the world at the houseware fair. “They included such interesting items as recycled storage boxes,” said company representative Phatrapee Chaengjenkit. “And we are now in discussions with the merchandisers to finalise our orders.”